“Maine is a nationally recognized leader in advancing new strategies to pay for health care delivery. We are pleased to continue our support for innovative Maine-based strategies that can improve quality while controlling costs,” Dr. Wendy J. Wolf, MeHAF’s president and chief executive officer, said in a recent press release. “As Maine moves forward with implementation of the Affordable Care Act, controlling costs in ways that work for Maine people, businesses and health care system will be critical.”

New grants

The Aroostook Medical Center, $193,642: To connect frequent users of emergency department services with primary care providers to ensure they have a primary care home and to reduce the number of repetitive and expensive emergency department patient visits.

MaineHealth, $196,200: To develop a new model of primary care reimbursement aligned with principles of patient-centered medical homes that can be rapidly implemented systemwide, integrated in payer contracts with no negative consequences to the uninsured or underserved people of Maine, and can be replicated by other providers outside MaineHealth.

Mercy Hospital, $197,052: To form the Mercy Medical Neighborhood Model, a collaboration with community partners and insurers that addresses the needs of the most costly charity care patients.